Page 126 of Pucking Rebound

“Yes, Jordan. Just like that.”

“But…” I thought today was to discuss the possibilities of exhibiting here. I didn’t realize she’d already made her decision.

Piper stands as straight as a poker, clasping her hands in front of her. “The photos you sent of your paintings are everything Lola said they were and more. My job is to find untapped talent. Lola did my job for me. You’re a visionary. A passionate painter. Your paintings belong in here.” She nods, radiating her faith in my abilities.

I’m stunned.

She continues, “Your paintings will sell at a prestige price guide of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the smaller ones, and around five hundred thousand for the larger pieces. We want to slot you into our summer exhibition and the planis to have an exhibition opening night, exclusively for you. All I need from you are a few date options. We will work with you and your tight schedule.” She keeps on stunning me with every word. “We typically take sixty percent of all sales. However, as you are a friend of Lola’s, we’ll only take twenty percent, and I propose Leon’s commission to be set at ten percent. His time is precious, and my team will be liaising directly with him on a weekly basis about the arrangements leading up to and after the event.”

Holy fuck.This is everything I’ve ever wanted.

Leon lays his hand on my shoulder, urging me to move. “So, Piper, this other room you mentioned?”

“This way.” She whips around.

He mutters through the side of his mouth. “You’ll need to buy Lola something hideously expensive to show her how grateful you are or give her a painting. You have her to thank for all of this.”

“I do.” I can't fathom how I'll ever repay her.

Like a movie playing out in my mind, I get an image of Lola being here with me, holding my hand, standing by my side, my paintings lining the walls, with her congratulating me on yet another successful collection.

That’s what I want. I want her now and in my future.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Lola

Hands wrapped around my coffee mug, I’m sitting waiting for Marcus to arrive at Moose & Mug.

I take a deep inhale of the nutty coffee that reminds me of my childhood. My dad would bring me here every day after school as part of his daily check-ins where Rosa, the manager at the time, would sneak me pieces of carrot cake or a puffed rice treat, which was my favorite.

Out of all the coffee shops I own, I adore this one the most.

Nervous about today, I barely ate a thing yesterday. I couldn’t eat breakfast this morning either from fear of being sick like I was at dinner last night.

The sooner I speak to Marcus, the sooner I’ll be able to eat again. If I’m being honest, I feel a little green around the gills today. Like I've eaten something that disagreed with me.

My insides are a bundle of jitters.

Two weeks have passed since I celebrated the New Year with Jordy.

It’s been fun and exciting. The best fun I’ve ever had with a guy.

We’ve spent every spare minute we can together, and as many nights at Jordy’s as I can without Kali and Wade becoming suspicious. I mean, how many times can I say I’m staying over at Piper’s, especially when Daryl has practically moved into her new place?

The team knows they are dating, and my cover for overnight stays at Jordy’s has sort of dried up.

That’s the reason we’re sneaking around at the arena between training sessions and games. The other night, we even had sex in the equipment room—it was thrilling and spontaneous but also a ridiculously foolish idea. Someone easily could have walked in.

“Good morning, Lola.” Marcus arrives dressed in jeans and a turtleneck sweater. For an older guy, he sure is fashionable and handsome, and looks way younger than his years.

Marcus sits down and makes himself comfortable. “Did you close the place for us this morning?” He looks around at the empty tables and chairs.

“Staff training. We open at ten.” Meaning we have an hour.

As if we are chess players waiting for someone to make their first move, we stare at each other.

“Wade looks like you,” I blurt, then curse myself for doing so.

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